SHMS Family Newsletter

Greetings SHMS community,

We are so proud of the volleyball team, who has advanced to the DCIAA finals and will face Deal MS on Monday afternoon! In addition to the volleyball finals, our football team squares off against Eliot-Hine MS on Wednesday night at Eastern High School. In addition to support for these two events, our soccer teams continue their season and some runners are getting ready for the State cross country championships. As a reminder, students must be accompanied by an adult at all DCIAA athletic events and registration for free tickets on GoFan must be completed prior to entry. An adult may chaperone up to three students or children and security may turn away larger groups or students who are not accompanied by an adult.

We have nine school days remaining in the first term and a full week of classes ahead of us. We will come together to raise awareness for breast cancer and bullying prevention by wearing pink and/or orange on Wednesday. Let's make the most of this last full week of the term, prepare for the upcoming Fall Spirit Week, and wish the best of luck to our students in their upcoming competitions!

Warm regards,

Eric Fraser

Principal

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Monday

• A great instructional day!

Tuesday

• A great instructional day!

Wednesday

• Unity and Breast Cancer Awareness Day - wear orange, pink, or both colors!
• NatureBridge trip for 7th graders departs

Thursday

• NatureBridge trip for 7th graders

Friday

• NatureBridge trip for 7th graders returns

Upcoming Dates

• October 26-29, Fall Spirit Week
• October 29, Last day of Term 1
• October 30 Professional Development Day, no school for students
• November 2, Records-keeping & Wellness Day, no school for students
• November 3, Election Day, no school for students or teachers
• November 5, Picture Day & Fall Sports Picture Day
• November 5, Alert status drill
• November 11, Veterans Day, schools closed
• November 12, Step-Up Day for Watkins ES
• November 12, Term 1 7th Grade Family meeting
• November 19, High School Fair, Eastern Senior High School, 6:00-8:00 PM
• November 25 & 27, Thanksgiving Recess, no school students or teachers
• November 26, Thanksgiving observed, schools closed

DCPS SY 2026-27 calendar

Every student deserves a world of possibilities; that's why DCPS developed a study abroad program. DCPS Study Abroad helps ensure that our global citizens have access to global experiences, so that travel becomes the expectation rather than the exception for students. DCPS' 8th grade, 11th grade, Certificate 3, and Opportunity Academies students who are studying a World Language are eligible for short-term study abroad programs targeting language immersion, cultural immersion, and service learning.

All DCPS Study Abroad trips are fully-funded, including airfare, meals, lodging, and activities on tour. Aid for students with significant financial need who require support to obtain necessary travel supplies is available upon request.

For more information and to apply go here: Apply to Study Abroad Here!

Join a virtual DCPS Study Abroad information session to learn more:

Thursday, October 15th, 4:30-5:30pm (join here!)
Wednesday, October 28th, 4:30-5:30pm (join here!)
Tuesday, November 5th - 4:00-6:00pm (Alumni Panel 5:00-6:00pm)
(join here!)

Please reach out to jessica.schimmerling@k12.dc.gov if you have more questions!

This year, Stuart-Hobson Middle School will celebrate Unity Day for National Bullying Prevention Month. This is a day when we can come together as a school community to send a visible message of building community through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

The call to action is simple: students, teachers and school staff are encouraged to wear the color orange on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. This vibrant statement becomes a conversation starter, showing support for students who have been bullied and for bullying prevention.

Stuart-Hobson’s Bridge of Hope is our youth mental health ambassador club.

This student-led group aims to:

• educate peers about mental health,
• offer peer support,
• teach staff and teachers about student mental health at SHMS, and
• learn ways to manage and improve our collective wellbeing.

7th and 8th graders can meet with Ms. Wittschen and Ms. Harrington during recess in the atrium on Wednesday, 10/21 to learn about the club and how to get involved.

6th grade: more information coming soon about an interest meeting!

For more information, contact SHMS Social Worker Ms. Wittschen (bernadette.wittschen@k12.dc.gov) or DBH Clinician Kimberly Harrington (kimberly.harrington@dc.gov)

Ticket Link:

https://gofan.co/app/school/DC84856

Monday, October 19

-Football Practice, 7:00-8:30a

-VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, 5pm, Columbia Heights Education Campus

Tuesday, October 20

-Football Practice, 7:00-8:30a

-Girls Basketball Conditioning, 3:45-5

-Boys Basketball Practice, 5-6:30

-Boys Soccer vs. Kramer @SHMS, 4:45p

Wednesday, October 21

-XC Practice, 3:45-5:30

-Football vs. Eliot Hine @ Eastern HS, 6pm

Thursday, October 22

-Girls Basketball Conditioning, 3:45-5p

-Boys Basketball Practice, 5-6:30p

-G/B Soccer vs. CHEC @ SHMS, 4:45p, 6:15p

Friday, October 23

-Football Practice, 7:00-8:30a

To practice, tryout, or join an athletic team, you must submit the participation packet every school year. If you updated the UHC/Physical during the end of the previous school year, you still must submit new paperwork for SY 26-27.

https://www.thedciaa.com/participation-forms

Follow us on Instagram: Stuarthobsonms_athletics

Students interested in joining teams this season please complete the interest forms below to help us prepare for the upcoming season. All athletes must also submit a participation packet annually to be cleared for participation.

The 2026-2027 Athletics’ Participation packet has been released. All students must complete a participation packet every school year. Additionally, the medical forms must be completed within the prior 365 days. We encourage you to have your healthcare provider complete these forms before the school year and attach them to your participation packet. If your student’s Universal Health Certificate (UHC) has been updated recently, you are encouraged to complete the participation packet as soon as possible.

Students with certain medical conditions may also need to complete an Asthma Action Plan or an Anaphylaxis Action Plan

Please note that it is not necessary to submit a new participation packet for each season. A complete packet includes the DCIAA forms filled out in their entirety along with a Universal Health Certificate that was completed within the last year. ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BEFORE PARTICIPATION.

SHMS Athletics is seeking to hire coaches for the following teams. Professional and coaching résumés can be sent directly to Coach Drakeford.

Coaching Vacancies for SY 2026-27 Teams:

TBA

Please direct any questions about athletics to our Athletic Director, Coach Drakeford, latavia.drakeford-allen@k12.dc.gov

Below please find food service menus for breakfast, lunch and snack for this week here.

The application for the DCPS Study Abroad Program for Summer 2027 will open on October 12, 2026. The deadline for to apply is November 15, 2026.

8th grade students who are studying a World Language are eligible for short-term study abroad programs targeting language immersion, cultural immersion, and service learning.

The DCPS Global Education team will host three virtual information sessions on:

• Thursday, October 15th | 4:30pm to 5:30pm

• Wednesday, October 28th | 4:30pm to 5:30pm

• *Thursday, November 5th | 4:00pm to 6:00pm

• *This session will include an alumni panel

For more information, please go to the DCPS Global Education website at: DCPS Study Abroad

We are excited to officially launch after-school tutoring this week! Our vision is to ensure that every student has access to targeted, high-quality academic support that helps close learning gaps, strengthen skills, and build confidence. We believe every student deserves the support needed to meet—and exceed—grade-level expectations as we fulfill our commitment that every child achieves.

Tutoring will take place Monday–Thursday from 3:45–4:45 PM. The schedule shared below will remain in place through Term 1. Teachers will communicate directly with students and families if there are any changes or cancellations. We will review the schedule and make updates for Term 2.

How to Submit Absence Documentation: If your child is absent, please use one of the following two methods to submit documentation:

• Send an email to Stuart-hobsonMS@k12.dc.gov with the absence excuse note attached.
• Send an email to Ms. Christie Andrews (ASL), guidance counselor, and grade-level assistant principal directly. Their emails are christie.andrews@k12.dc.gov, jessica.schimmerling@k12.dc.gov, alexis.wilson@k12.dc.gov, tierra.ingram@k12.dc.gov (6th), nubia.gerima@k12.dc.gov (7th), marie-elena.hossain@k12.dc.gov (8th) with an excuse note attached.

Monitoring Attendance in Aspen: You can track your child’s daily and weekly attendance by following these steps:

1. Log in to aspen.dcps.dc.gov.
2. Select your student’s name.
3. Click on the Attendance side tab.

In this view, you can see daily, weekly, and overall attendance. By clicking on individual classes, you can view specific dates for absences or tardies. If the daily or weekly attendance view says "no records," this indicates your child was present and on time for the entire period.

Attendance Codes Reference:

• T: Tardy
• A: Unexcused Absence
• A-E: Excused Absence (some common types of excused absences are coded below)
• IL: Illness
• SA: School Activity (Athletics, Drama, Band)
• SV: School Visit

Students may visit the office for SY 26-27 Kids Ride Free (KRF) cards, before school, during their assigned lunch period (6th and 8th grades), or after school. The SY 25-26 KRF card will work through September 30th if it has not been replaced beforehand.

After-school activities are underway and we want to share some reminders with families about after-school routines and procedure that ensure a safe and engaging experience for all students.

1. All students report to the cafeteria between 3:30-3:45 where their after-school activity sponsor (coach, club facilitator, tutor, or ASAS staff) will meet them. Students will have the opportunity to eat a snack, provided for free by the cafeteria, and will be escorted to the location of their activity.
2. No re-entry. Students should not exit the building and re-enter for after-school activities. Re-entry will be allowed on a case-by-case basis and repeated attempts to exit and re-enter will result in family contact and the possible exclusion from after-school activities.
3. Students who are not participating in an after-school activity should not be on school grounds, or in the building after the 3:30 dismissal. Students waiting for transportation after-school are encouraged to wait on the front steps.
4. The E Street entrance is open for pick-up/dismissal, and guest entry until 4:30 PM. At 4:30 the main office end E Street entry close and all guests should enter through the 4th Street student entry area, where security is located until 6:00 PM. Students should be dismissed through this exit beginning at 4:30 every day.
5. Activity sponsors are responsible for ensuring and supervising the safe dismissal of all activity participants and can assist with family communication as needed. Under no circumstances can school staff or volunteers arrange or provide transportation for students (e.g. taxi, Uber, purchase of Metro fare, ride in personal vehicle, etc.).
6. Cell phones and personal devices will be returned to all students at 3:30. Activity sponsors may recollect phones to store while students are participating in an activity. Please check with your student's activity sponsor for their policies and procedures.

If you have any questions about the routines and procedures above please reach out to an activity sponsor or school administrator and thank you for helping us to ensure that all students have a safe and joyful experience after-school.

Some families have reported temporary challenges with the Grade Corner app (popular for monitoring student performance by syncing with Aspen). Families have also recommended re-installing the app or installing updates to resolve this issue.

Please reach out to the front office or a guidance counselor for assistance with resetting an Aspen password.

Student Uniform Policy & Dress Code

The SHMS uniform policy is designed to maintain school pride and traditions while contributing to a safe and predictable school experience for students and families. School uniforms or other apparel that identifies our school are required while on school property, field trips (before or after school day hours), while attending After-School All-Stars and school-approved activities after 3:30 PM, unless athletic, dance or other specific apparel is required by the coach/leader.

Uniforms include:

· Long or short-sleeved solid-color polo, button-up collared shirt, or T-shirt. An SHMS logo is optional. Any non-SHMS logo/branding on uniform shirts or sweatshirts should be minimal and the size of a $1 bill (1 dollar) or smaller. Grade levels are assigned shirt colors as follows:

• 6th Grade: Red
• 7th Grade: Gray (jersey or other light/medium shades preferred, avoid darker shades to stand out from 8th grade)
• 8th Grade: Black

· Plain red, black, or white crewneck sweaters/sweatshirts (front zip, button up, or pullover) and vests. No hoods.

· Long sleeved, plain color, crew/V-neck shirts may be worn underneath uniform shirts.

· Chino ("khaki") pants, skirts, or shorts (no cut-offs), worn at waist level and without tears or rips. Jumpers are also acceptable. All should be solid khaki/tan or black in color. No jeans/denim or leggings on their own.

· Comfortable closed-toed shoes or sneakers covering the entire foot. Shoes and sneakers should lace-up or fit snugly. No sandals, slippers/slides, or Crocs.

· Any clothing that identifies our school community by name or logo (e.g. Stuart-Hobson MS or the Capitol Hill Cluster School) may be worn in place of uniform components. SHMS/Cluster hoodies are allowed but students should not wear hoods during the school day. Jerseys/tank tops should be accompanied by an undershirt that meets dress code expectations outlined below.

*Because of the uniform policy expectations outlined above, it is assumed that any shirts/tops students wear will cover their shoulders and torsos and any pants/bottoms will cover their thighs to just above the knee.

Dress Code

While students may wear some of the following to and from school, they are expected to avoid wearing all of the following during the school day, on trips, and in after-school activities:

• Hooded coats, shirts, and sweatshirts,
• Outerwear like jackets, fleeces, parkas, windbreakers, etc.,
• Hats and other head/face coverings (e.g. winter/baseball hats, ski masks, bonnets, goggles, scarves, surgical masks, etc.),
• Metal studs on headbands and other accessories,
• Crop tops, halter tops, jerseys, tank tops,

• Khaki/black leggings/tights worn in place of khaki/black pants (note that leggings/tights may be worn under skirts/shorts that meet other dress code and uniform requirements), and,
• Purses or fanny packs

Religious, medical, or other personal exemptions/exceptions to any of the above expectations should be made by parents/families and documented with the school culture and/or administrative teams prior to taking effect.

Uniform Non-Compliance

Students should comply with the uniform policy daily and will be recognized for compliance with Live School points, eligibility for trips and other activities, and other rewards. Uniform policy violations will be documented in Live School. Some uniform deficiencies can be remedied by the support team, but the loss of instructional time should be avoided when supporting students in complying with the policy. Incidents and patterns of infractions will be handled like other Tier 1 and 2 infractions.

We are excited to continue our partnership with After-School All-Stars (ASAS), our after-school enrichment provider, this coming school year. Registration for the school year after-school programming with ASAS is open! As always, the limited spots are open to students who are enrolled in Stuart-Hobson for the upcoming school year and are filled on a first come, first served basis. The after-care enrollment process is completely managed by ASAS. This year, ASAS is reserving approximately 50 spots for 6th graders and roughly 15 spots each for 7th and 8th grade in after-school programming.

Again next year, we expect programming to run daily from 3:30-6:00. ASAS also manages any waitlists and requests for technical support. We are also excited that ASAS will continue to be 100% free for students who attend.

Please note that after completing the registration form you will likely receive an automated message that your enrollment was "received". This does NOT mean that you have secured a spot but that your application is on file with After School All Stars. ASAS will follow-up with families in early August to confirm which students were awarded a seat and who has been waitlisted.

Please reach out to Mr. Evroy Marrett with any questions or requests about ASAS, the interest form, or for more information at evroy.marrett@afterschoolallstars.org.

If you or anyone you know is interested in getting involved with volunteer or substitute work at a fantastic DCPS middle school, please consider these two ways to support our students. At this moment the most helpful positions are family and community members with DCPS clearance who can chaperone field trips and substitute teachers to assist us when teachers are absent or some students remain at the school during special events or trips that teachers chaperone.

1. See here to learn more about the clearance process to volunteer in DCPS. Once you are cleared, please inform the principal and grade-level administrator of your clearance and to clarify where you might be able to help.

2. Apply to be a substitute teacher (note that only Option 1 on that application page will make you eligible at Stuart-Hobson MS). Please contact Principal Fraser once your application is submitted so we can help usher your application through the review process and get you cleared to pick-up jobs as quickly as possible. If you would like help with the application and/or are interested in learning more before applying please complete this interest form.

Thank you for considering these opportunities to get involved and support our school community!

SHMS partners with GW University for students to receive free math tutoring 2 days per week​ through their Math Matters program. Programming is available to interested 6th and 7th graders!

​About Math Matters​

Based out of the Nashman Center at George Washington University, Math Matters collaborates with DCPS to provide high-impact math tutoring to middle school students in Washington, D.C.​ Math Matters recruits and trains GW undergraduate and graduate students to be effective mentors and tutors.

Tutoring Details​

- Tutors provide small group tutoring throughout the school year to groups of 3-4 students

- Students attend two days per week on Mondays and Wednesdays (Snack: 3:30-3:40pm, tutoring 3:45-4:45pm)

- Tutoring curriculum is skill based, and is geared towards accelerating students towards grade level proficiency​

- Tutoring starts the week of September 21 for all students.

Sign Up- Limited Spaces Available

Families can sign up at the GW Math Matters table at back to school night, or via the following link: tinyurl.com/shmstutoring

Got Questions?

Email Ms. Rosera, Math Department Chair, at Bethany.Rosera@k12.dc.gov

Stuart-Hobson MS partners with the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) to provide school-based mental health services to students. Please see attached letter for more information about the services offered or contact DBH Clinician Kimberly Harrington, LICSW at kimberly.harrington@dc.gov.

During the school year, you can also request mental health and counseling support via our referral link (note: referrals are not checked during the summer break): https://bit.ly/referralSHMS. We look forward to partnering with your family to support your student’s wellbeing and success while at SMHS!

Mental health resources that are always available:

DBH Access Helpline: 1-888-793-4357

Child and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service (ChAMPS): 202-481-1440

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call, text, or chat 988

Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741

LiveLongDC: Residents in DC can access NARCAN (Naloxone) through delivery by texting LiveLongDC to 888-811. There are also areas throughout the District where residents can pick up NARCAN for free. A prescription is not needed to pick up and carry NARCAN.

To ensure staff, students, and families receive the right technological support, DCPS IT and OCTO provide dedicated and differentiated support to each group.

For students and families:

• OCTO Student & Family Call Center – Assists parents and students with technical and password issues. Contact number is: (202) 442-5885 (Option 1).

The Cluster is a strong community of families, and the PTA strengthens that community by working together to support our students and campuses. Joining the PTA is a great opportunity to learn more about our school, enrich the student experience, and meet new people. PTA dues help fund critical programs, as well as supplies for music, art, library, and athletics.

Email: stuart-hobsonms@k12.dc.gov
Website: www.stuart-hobson.org
Location: 410 E Street Northeast, Washington, DC, USA
Phone: 202-671-6010
Twitter: @StuartHobsonMS

Important Links

Aspen DCPS Student and Family Login

Attendance Excuse Template

Capitol Hill Cluster Website

DCPS School Mental Health Resources

Stuart-Hobson Special Education and 504 Plans

Stuart-Hobson Uniform Policy

Stuart-Hobson Food Service Breakfast-Lunch-Supper Menus
Stuart-Hobson Behavior Expectation Matrices
Stuart-Hobson Student and Family Handbook